Director of Diversity Programs
to Enhance Relations

September 24, 2004

“Diversity is what I embrace. It is part of who I am,” says Rob Stewart.

Plano ISD’s newly-appointed director of diversity programs was tapped by school district leadership to take the helm of the exciting new initiative due to his proven leadership ability and human relations skills, honed over the past two decades as an educator in school districts across the country.

According to Mr. Stewart, the core purpose of the diversity program is to help students, staff, parents and community members embrace diversity as a natural and positive entity.

As the district’s program leader, Mr. Stewart will involve schools in planning diversity programs and working with curriculum coordinators and activities specialists to make substantive change regarding inclusion and recognition for all learners.

“Plano ISD has built momentum in the area of diversity,” said Mr. Stewart. “The environment and the foundation are in place...much bridge-building has occurred.” Director Stewart is eager to continue successful initiatives, articulate the district’s diversity initiatives to the schools and community and solicit support for and evaluation of those initiatives.

A natural fit for the director role, Mr. Stewart has served during the past two decades as an educator in diverse urban, suburban and rural school districts.He has taught and coached at the elementary, secondary and university levels, served as an assistant principal and, for the past four years, served as assistant director in Plano ISD’s human resources department.

In the past, Mr. Stewart was responsible for the recruitment of new hires in the critical-needs areas of special education, counseling, bilingual/ESL, nursing and library media services.

He currently leads the district’s mentor program, which places strong emphasis on teacher retention. He also mentors colleagues Betty Teufel and Emiliano Marquez, coordinators new to the human resources division, who have assumed many of his former responsibilities.

In his new position, he will help develop and maintain effective communication between the school district and community, help identify barriers that might impede the implementation of diversity initiatives and assist in planning curriculum which includes multiculturalism.

“Most large companies have a diversity programs director to bring everything together,” he said. “My role will be to assess initiatives for students and staff, assist in making recommendations for improvement, and further goals related to community, belonging, trust and unity.”